Keane prepares to reap reward

Share via

Sunderland 2 Queens Park Rangers 1: Home team extend their unbeaten run to 17 games

The Samaritans were shaking buckets outside the Stadium of Light; not too long ago, it would have been a better venue for collecting clients. As recently as last August, Sunderland were the biggest charitable donors in football, but their philanthropy was measured on the pitch. Their opponents would turn up, plead poverty and leave with three points.

Times have changed, however, and Wearside with it. This is no longer a club of depressives and soft touches. Encounter diversity and they snarl at it, win and they endeavour to win again, win better. Excuses, context and convenience have been rejected, a